Sacred Harp Only Singing Association, 1901

[Robert Vaughn]

I have renewed my work on the history of the J. L. White revision of the Sacred Harp. I found this interesting record this morning -- the Sacred Harp Only Singing Association of DeKalb and Fulton Counties. Hopefully you can read this.

Oddly, they had a office in the association called "critic." Possibly this was in the sense of one who engages in the analysis, evaluation, or appreciation of works of art or artistic performances.

Sincerely,

Robert Vaughn

Mount Enterprise, TX

http://baptistsearch.blogspot.com 

Ask for the old paths, where is the good way

http://mtcarmelbaptist.blogspot.com 

For ask now of the days that are past...

http://oldredland.blogspot.com 

Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land.

[Fulton, Erin]

Very interesting! I notice that, like in early notices of Big Singing, the songs are often referred to by the hymn or refrain, rather than the tune.

According to G.C. Waldrep's research, a revival in four-note singing (from Hesperian and Southern Harmony, as well as Sacred Harp) was ongoing in the western Carolinas at around this same time, say 1900-1905.

Best,

E. Fulton.

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[Robert Vaughn]

Erin,

I find it interesting that at the same time there was a revival of interest in the four-note singing, there was also those who assumed it was a relic of the past. After quoting an older gentleman reminiscing about his Sacred Harp past, the editor of a Northwest Texas newspaper said he had no idea where the Sacred Harp might be obtained (“if it is obtainable in the book markets at all, we do not know it.”).

“Another old ‘relic of barbarism’ you might find sale for is the old Sacred Harp song book, with shaped notes, containing the songs of our grandfathers and grandmothers. Of course nobody wants those old books but us old fossils, but they call up sweet memories and cause the ‘scenes of childhood’ in all the vivid colors of youth to play upon the stage before we go hence.”

Thomas Ely Keith (1845-1920), county attorney, Breckenridge, Texas. In Wichita Daily Times, Wichita Falls, Texas, Wednesday, October 13, 1909, page 4 [Note: the other old relic of barbarism was the “Blue Back Spelling Book.]

Blessings,

Robert Vaughn 

Mount Enterprise, TX

http://baptistsearch.blogspot.com 

Ask for the old paths, where is the good way

http://mtcarmelbaptist.blogspot.com 

For ask now of the days that are past...

http://oldredland.blogspot.com 

Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land.